Improvement in railway-switches and signal apparatus



5 Sheets-Sheet .1. SCHNABELGL HENNING.

Pneumatic Signal No. 111,261.

Patented Jan. 24, I871.

N. PErERs. FHOTO-UTHOGRAPNER, wAsmNGTvJN D O v 5 Sheets-Sheet" 2. SCHNABEL & HENNING.

Pneumatic Signal.

Patented Jan. 24, 1871.

N.FEIERS, PHOTO-UTNOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. n18.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3;: SCHNABEL & HENNING.

Pneumatic Signal.

Patented Jan. 24, 1871.

No. 111,261. H

rLFETRa. Pl-lcmu'moean nik, WASHINGTON. n c

5 Sheets- Sheet 4 SCHNABEL & HENNING.

Pneumat ic Signal. No. 111,261. atented Jam 24, 187].

rusrsas, PHOTO'LHHOGRM5HER. WASWNGTUNY D v 5' Sheets-Sheet 5. SCHNABEL -& HENNING.

Pneumatic Signal.

No. 111,261. Patented Jan. 24, 1871.

N.FETERS, PH JTO-uTHoeRA nER, WASHINGTON, u c.

ment of the inventionin a railroad-depot.

the safety of the travel is not dependent upon UNITED STATEs PA QFFI ADOLPH SOHNABEL AND THEODORE HENNING, OF BRUOHSAL, GRAND DUCHY on BADEN.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILWAY-SWITCHES AND SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 111,261, dated January 24, 1871,

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that we,'ADoLI H SOHNABEL and THEODORE HENNING, of Bruchsal, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Switches and Signal Apparatus and we do hereby (16fclare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description thereof, .which will enable those skilled in the artto make and use the same, reference being had to the accompany ing drawing, forming part of this specifica tion, in which drawing- Figure 1 represents a transverse vertical section of the central apparatus, which serves to control the current of the water in its flow to the various switches, the plane of section beingindicated by the line a: as, .Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is asectional front view of the same, the lines y y, z z, and 00 as indicating the various planesof sections, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a local apparatus, which receives. its motion from the central apparatus and transmits the same directly to the switch. Fig. 4is a sectional front view of the same. Fig. dis a horizontal section of the same, the line y, Fig. 4, indicating the plane of section. .Fig. 6 is a similar section of the same in the plane 2 2. Fig. 7 is a plan or top view of the same. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of the. signal apparatus, which connects with the local apparatus, and serves to indicate to the engineer that the various switches which he has to pass 1 are in the correct position. 'The line a x I Fig. 10, indicates the plane of, section. Fig. 9 is a similar section of the same, taken in the 1 plane y Fig. 10. Fig. 10is'. a horizontal section of the same, taken in the plane of 2 z Fig. 8. Fig. 11 is a similar section of the same, taken in the plane .00 00 Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the general arrange- 1 Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This inventionrelates ,to' an apparatus whereby the various switches and appropriate signals in railroad-depots are set correctly all from one point or central apparatus, so that the attention of the switch-tender; and, ,fur-: thermore, one operator is enabled to. attend;

to all the switches in the depot without being compelled to leave his post.

Our apparatus is-made dependent for its operation upon hydraulic pressure, the flow of .the water tofthe various apparatus controlling the position of the several. switches in the depot being governed by a series of valves in the central apparatus, each of said valves controlling the motion otadist-inct switch or series of switches belonging to the route of a certain trainthat is to say, if a train, in passing in or out of a depot, has to travel over two or more switches, the local apparatus controlling these switches are connected with each other, and the flow of water to all of them is governed by one and the same valve in the central apparatus. Vith the local apparatus or apparatuses of each route is connected a signal apparatus, situated at a convenient distance from the first switch to be passed by an approaching train, so that the engineer can see in time it all the switches which he has to pass are in 'the correct position. The valve-rods of the central apparatus are provided with locking-slides'so that two interfering switches can never be moved simultaneously. The local apparatus or apparatuses and the signal apparatus belonging UL after the signal is drawn in, each switch can' be moved by hand in the ordinary manner, if desired. 7 t

- In the'drawing, Figs. 1 and 2, the letter A designates the central apparatus, which con tains a series of valve chambers, a, one for each particular route in the depot. Each of these valve-chambers communicates with a pipe, B, which connects with a hydraulic pump or with any other apparatus containing water under pressure; and the bottom of each of said valve-chambers is perforated with two ports, I) 11*, (see Fig. 1,) the port 1) leading to a cylinder, 0, which contains a plunger, 61, while the port b leads to the exhaust-pipe 0. Over the ports I) b is placed the slide-valve c, which connects, by a rod, f, with a hand-lever, g. If this hand-lever is brought in the position shown in Fig. 1, the cylinder 0 is cut oif from the supply-pipe B and brought in communication with the exhaust-pipe C; but by moving the hand-lever in the direction of the arrow marked near it in Fig. 1 the port bis thrown in communication with the supply-pipe B, the port 12* remaining closed, and the water passes through the cylinder 0 and the pipe E to the local apparatus D. (Shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6.) l

Before proceeding with the description of the local apparatus, it must be remarked that the central apparatus, A, contains a series of valve-chambers, a, and cylinders 0, one for each local apparatus, four such valve-chambers and cylinders being shown in Fig. 2,'one in front view, the next as a section in the plane 3 y, Fig. 1, the third as a'sect-ion in the plane z z, Fig. 1, and the fourth as section in the plane as 00 Fig. 1. 7

From the valve-rods f extend prolongations h, which are provided with notches z, and across these prolongations are placed a series of slides, j, to which a transverse motion is imparted by oblique cam-pieces k, attached to the prolongation's h, and acting on the edges of notches l in the slides. (See Fig. 2*.) These notches are so shaped that each valve-rod, on being depressed, imparts motion to one or more of the slides, and the slides so moved engage with the notches i in one or more of the prolongations h, so that if one of the valverods is depressed all the other valve-rods which control the motion of interfering switches will be locked, and consequently no switch can be moved which would allow the passage of a train liable to come in collision with that train for which the switches are actually to'be adjusted.

In Fig. 2* we have shown a plan view of one of the slides. The notches in these slides are of unequal length, some of the notches being so long that their edges will not engage with the corresponding valve-rod when the slide is moved, and one of the notches being provided with a recess for the corresponding cam-piece 7c. The plunger d of the cylinder 0 is loaded by a weight, m, and the area of its transverse section is so proportioned that said plunger is not raised, but the water admitted to the cylinder 0 passes through the pipe E to the appropriate local apparatus D, as above set forth. This local apparatus consists chiefly of a plunger, H, which is raised by the pressure of the water flowing in through the pipe E, and which serves to set the switch. For this purpose the elongation of said plunger is provided with 21 roller, m*, which strikes a rod, N, that connects, by levers O P, O R, O P, 0 R, with a slide, L, which is attached to the switchrail. This lever-connection between the rod N and slide L is similar to that of an ordinary platform-scale, said rod being suspended from pivots Q Q at such points in the leversO P O P that the proportion is as follows: 0 I Q P O P Q, P; and consequently it makes no difference at which point the roller m of the plunger H strikes the rod N for the purpose of raising the same up.

The levers P O and R O are connected at their hubs in the manner of a clutch, so that when the rod N is raised the lever P 0 will force the lever B O in the position shown in Fig. 4; but if the rod N sinks down the lever It 0 will remain in this position. The levers R O and P O are not connected at all, so that the lever O R simply moves with the slide L. By raising the rod N, therefore, the slide L is moved out in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. 4, and the switchtongue is carried in the same direction. If desired, the levers R O P 0 may be dispensed with. With this same switch-tongue connects a second local apparatus, the plunger H of which acts on a rod, M, which connects with the slide L by levers arranged like those of the rod N, but in the reverse direction, so that by their action the motion of the slide L and of the switch-rail is reversed. This action of this second local apparatus, however, is controlled by a slide-valve in the central apparatus difl'erent from that which controls the first local apparatus, each slide-valve being intended to set the various switches for one train only, or for one and the same route.

When the plunger H has been raised to the top end of its stroke an arm, S, which is secured on its elongation, strikes a collar, n, fastened on the upper part of a rod which extends from the valve 8, and this valve is opened. The water is thereby admitted to the space K, and it raises the plunger I, which carries avalve, 0, covering the pipe 13*, through which the water passes on to the next local apparatus or to the signal apparatus, as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

From the plunger I extends a rod, 1, which passes freely through the arm S, and which extends close under a slide, L, running parallel to the slide L. (See Figs. 8 and 7.) This slide L connects with the switch-rail, and it is provided with a hole, 10, which passes over the rod I as soon as the switch-tongue is brought up close to the required position. The plunger I therefore is not permitted to rise until the switch has been properly adjusted, and as soon as the rod I penetrates the slide L the switch is firmly locked.

After the train has passed the switch the connection with the exhaust-pipe O is opened in the central apparatus, A, and the plunger H is depressed by the weight of the rod N, which is made sufficiently heavy for this purpose. When the-plunger H approaches the lowest point of its stroke the arm S strikes the shoulder q of-the plunger I and depresses the same to its original position. In the meantime the switch remains in position, and it can be moved in the ordinary manner by hand, if it is necessary or desirable;

This entire apparatus is inclosed in a box of sheet metal or other suitable material, and

it is sunk in level with the ground. The top of the box is made removable, so that it can be taken oft for the purpose of getting access to the working parts.

To prevent freezing, the box may be made with double walls filled in with a bad conductor of heat.

The water used in the apparatus is freed from air by means of a float, W, which is placed in a well between the cylinders containing the plungers H I and connecting with the same. On the top of this float is a valve, and if the well is filled with water free from air the float rises and closes the valve; but if, in the course of time, such air which may be contained in the water becomes disengaged, it accumulates in the top of the well, and as the well in this case cannot be filled up with water the float W sinks down and its valve is opened, so as to allow the air contained in the top of the well to escape. As soon as the air is out the well fills up with water, the float rises, and the valve is closed.

If a route contains two or more switches, each switch is operated by a distinct local apparatus; but all the local apparatus appertaining to the same route are situated in the same circuit of pipes, which is controlled by one slide-valve in the central apparatus.

The last local apparatus in the circuit connects by means of the pipe 11* with the signal apparatus G, which is shown in Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 11, and which is situated at some distance from the switch in the direction in which the train approaches. This apparatus is inclosed in a box and let down level with the ground under the signal, with which it connects by a rope or chain, a the signal itself not being shown in the drawing. Said apparatus consists, principally, of two plungers, I) and F and the water which passes in through the pipe E forces up the plunger D The rope a extends through under a pulley, A which is mounted on a pin secured in a bracket attached to one of the cylinders; thence over a pulley, 13 which is mounted in the forked prolongation of the plunger D and then down to a loop or ring secured to the cylinder of the plunger D If the plunger D rises, there fore, the rope or chain is drawn in for double the distance traveled over by said plunger. At the same time the plunger F is also raised, as follows: From the prolongation of the plunger D extend .two levers, one on each side, each being pivoted at its outer end to a rocking bar, d while it connects at or near the middle of its length by a link, 6 with a sleeve, f which slides up and down on the rod extending from the plunger F From the sides of the sleeve f project gudgeons h". which support a rocking frame, 6 one end of which is loaded with a weight, j while the other straddles the rope or chain a From. this rocking frame extend two hooks, L and if the weight j is allowed to sink down these hooks engage with notches Z in the plungerrod 9 also secured a heavy weight, m WVhen the plunger D rises the hooks To carry up the plunger F until a disk, n Fig. 9, which is secured to the rope or chain a comes in contact with the rocking frame i and, by tilting the same on its gudgeons, throws the hooks k out of the notches l 7 This operation takes place after the signal has been set, and then the plunger F is depressed by the weight m By the pressure of the plunger F the water contained in the signal apparatus is forced back through the pipes Ffi" E into the central apparatus, and, since it is prevented by a checkvalve from returning to the supply-pipe B, said water acts upon the plunger d in the central apparatus. From this plunger extends a rod, a, which carries the control-signal 'u, and as the plunger F descends, after the several switches and the signal of the route have been set for the passage of a train, the control-sig' nal is raised by the action of the plunger 0?, showing to the operator of the central apparatus that everything is right. It is obvious that, in order to eifect this purpose, the superficial pressure exerted by the plunger F must be greater than that of the plunger (1.

After the train has passed the hand-lever of the central apparatus is returned to the position shown in Fig. 1, and the water is thereby allowed to discharge.

From this description it will be seen that our apparatus has the following chief advantages: First, the signal for a train to pass cannot be set until all the switches for said train have been properly adjusted; second, it is never possible to give simultaneously the signal to pass for two trains the routes of which cross each other; third, the proper adjustment of the switches and signals to pass is indicated in the central apparatus by the control signal; fourth, during the motion of a train all the switches belonging to it are firmly locked, but as soon as the signal to pass is drawn in said switches can be set by hand, if desired; fifth, our apparatus acts with safety for the distance of three thousand yards.

What we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The locking-slides j, in combination with the valve-rods of the central apparatus, sub stantially as described, to prevent the switches of interfering trains from being set simulta neously.

2. The locking-slide L and plunger I, in com bination with the switch-rail and with the plunger H, by which the switchrail is adjusted, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the switch-moving (See Fig. 8.) To this plunger rod is plunger H with the signal-moving plunger D names to this specification in the presence of substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of the plungers H and D with the loaded plunger F and with the control-signal plunger d, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have signed our two subscribing witnesses.

ADOL'PH SCHNABEL. TH. HENNING. Witnesses:

' EMIL HoLTsMANN,

WALH. HENNING; 

